Ambrose J. Wyzkowski

Ambrose J. Wyzkowski 86, Wausau, died Monday June 1, 2009 at Our House Assisted Living, Wausau. He was born June 29, 1922, in Wausau, son of the late Andrew and Agnes (Novak) Wyzkowski. On January 3, 1948, he married Mary Jane Kumbera at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wausau. Mary Jane was the love of his life; they were married for 60 years. She preceded him in death May 29, 2007. Ambrose was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He served with the 86th Blackhawk Division in Germany, Austria and the Philippines. Prior to his retirement, he was employed at Greenheck Fan. Following his retirement, Mary Jane and Ambrose opened and operated "Grandma's Store" which featured antiques and crafts. Ambrose enjoyed restoring antique cars. His favorite cars were his 1921 Model T and 1936 Ford. Through the years he showed his cars at Iola, Wausau and other shows. He enjoyed driving his antique cars in parades with Mary Jane and his grandchildren. Ambrose was a member of the EAA and loved going to the annual air show in Oshkosh. His grandchildren fondly remember the annual trips they took with him to the EAA air show and how they would sneak into the flight line. Ambrose was a pilot and enjoyed flying a Piper Cub at the Merrill airport. In recent years, the joys of his life were his great grandchildren, Jacob and Haylie. Whenever they were around he was like a young man again with the biggest smile on his face. He would talk endlessly about them and how proud he was of them. Survivors include a son, Michael (Penny) Wiskowski, Wausau, a foster son, James (Roxanne) Brown, Wausau, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Nathan (Jennifer) White, Duluth, Minn., and their son, Jacob; Andrew Wiskowski, London, England, Matthew (Elizabeth) Wiskowski, Wausau and their daughter, Haylie; and Robert Wiskowski, Wausau; Michael Brown, Justin Brown, Krystle Brown, Kayla Brown and Kiara Brown, all of Wausau, two brothers, Retired U.S. Army Col. Chester (Linda) Wiskowski, Santa Barbara, Cal., James (Carol) Wiskowski, Madison. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Thursday June 4, 2009 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted by the American Legion, Montgomery Plant Post No. 10, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund is being established for the Tech Education Program at Wausau East High School. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com